The classically designed St. Thomas the Apostle Church sits amid mature trees at the front of a large compound housing a school, the rectory, a pastoral center and an ample parking lot in a historic area of the gold-rush town of Oroville. The building houses beautiful stained-glass windows, lovely statues and a sacred sanctuary, all of which have been present for nearly a century as the parish has grown from its 1857 roots. The 800-family, culturally-mixed parish hosts four weekend Masses, including a 7 p.m. Saturday Vigil Mass in Spanish; as well as daily Masses from Tuesday – Friday at 8:30 a.m.
Address: 1330 Bird Street, Oroville, CA 95965
Phone: (530) 533-0262
Website: https://orovillecatholic.org/
Current Pastor: Rev. Godwin Xavier
Interesting Features to See
The church has exterior features to take note of, as well as with numerous sacred elements inside.
• The classical design of the building including the tall side tower and triangular, peaked decorative entrance with a tympanum decorated by a Biblically-inspired Last Judgement scene is very stirring.
• The sanctuary beneath the two-tiered round arch, within sky blue walls studded with clouds, forms a magnificent location for the celebration of the Mass.
• The statues and Stations of the Cross have been part of the church since 1929, and have been refurbished for worshippers’ contemplation.
• There are nearly twenty stained-glass windows featuring meaningful liturgical subjects.
References
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Books
Avella, Steven M., Fr. The Diocese of Sacramento, A Journey of Faith. Ireland: Booklink, 2006.
Hathaway, Ethel. History of St. Thomas Church. Printed by Quadco Printing, Inc. 1986.
Websites
Christian Iconography – St. Thomas – christianiconography.info/Thomas/html
Churchwonders.com – Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary – https://churchwonders.com/2021/06/12/hearts-of-love-sacred-heart-of-jesus-and-immaculate-heart-of-mary/
St. Thomas the Apostle Parish – https://orovillecatholic.org/